Containers with public contact devices

ABSTRACT

This disclosure includes a description of a public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact device attached to the container; wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user&#39;s hands. In some embodiments, a liquid container comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contact between the door and the user&#39;s hands. In some embodiments, a method of actuating a device, such as a door or key pad, includes obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; grasping the liquid container; and contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with the device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user&#39;s hands and the device to be actuated.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/059,675 filed Jul. 31, 2020. This application hereby incorporates byreference herein the above-identified provisional application in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This disclosure relates generally to devices configured to diminish thespread of microbes and specifically to devices configured to contactpublic surfaces.

Description of the Related Art

Microbes are known to commonly spread from person to person by way ofintermediate contact with commonly touched public surfaces, such as dooropeners (e.g., knobs, latches, push bars, buttons, etc.), elevatorbuttons, key pad input devices (e.g., numeric key pads for verificationof commercial transactions such as with ATM or credit card purchases,electronic or mechanical security locks, etc.), drawers, cabinets,drinking fountains, stairway bannisters, security railings, subway orbus handles or securing rails, faucet handles, water coolers, toweldispensers, etc. The spread of microbes can be diminished by avoidingcontact between a person's hands and such items and surfaces.

SUMMARY

This disclosure includes a description of a public-surfacecontact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store anitem to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact deviceattached to the container; wherein the container is configured to beheld by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the publiccontact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touchthe public surfaces with the user's hands. In some embodiments, a liquidcontainer comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lidportion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and acontact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device isconfigured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contactbetween the door and the user's hands. In some embodiments, a method ofactuating a device, such as a door or key pad, includes obtaining aliquid container with an integral public contact device; grasping theliquid container; and contacting the public contact device of the liquidcontainer with the device to be actuated without requiring directcontact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These drawings are schematic, showing some examples of basic parts andconcepts. Many different or additional structures, implementations,components, mechanisms, steps, and processes can be used. The claimedinventions should not be limited in any way to anything illustrated inthe drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a container and a public contact device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of FIG. 1 wherein the containeris a personally carried liquid bottle.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another example of FIG. 1 with multiplecontact devices.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are illustrations of another example of FIG. 1 with acontact device movable between multiple stages.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are illustrations of another example of FIG. 1 withanother contact device movable between multiple stages.

FIGS. 6a and 6b are cross-sectional illustrations of the examples ofFIGS. 5a and 5b taken respectively along the lines 6 a-6 a and 6 b-6 b.

FIGS. 7a-7c are illustrations of examples of FIG. 1 with additionalfeatures that can be used in any embodiment in this specification.

FIGS. 8a and 8b are illustrations of an example of FIG. 1 with anothercontact device movable between multiple stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification provides textual descriptions and illustrations ofmany devices. Any structure, material, function, method, or step that isdescribed and/or illustrated in one example can be used by itself orwith or instead of any structure, material, function, method or stepthat is described and/or illustrated in another example or used in thisfield. The text and drawings merely provide examples and should not beinterpreted as limiting or exclusive. No feature disclosed in thisapplication is considered critical or indispensable. The relative sizesand proportions of the components illustrated in the drawings form partof the supporting disclosure of this specification, but should not beconsidered to limit any claim unless recited in such claim.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments a single integrated device100 can comprise a container 200 and a contactor, such as contact device300, configured to contact surfaces or devices, such as public surfaces,on which microbes may be present. The integrated device 100 may beformed as a single unit, either from the same unitary material or frommultiple components separately formed and attached together permanentlyor removably. Many types of containers are routinely carried throughoutthe day by people, including liquid vessels such as water bottles, casesfor mobile electronic devices, backpacks, purses, wallets, holders fortissue or sanitizing wipes, food containers (e.g., lunch boxes, coolers,receptacles for gum, candy, or mints, etc.), computer cases, luggage,etc. Any of these containers or any other type of container can be used.A contactor or contact device 300 can be any structure configured tocontact a surface that is desirable for a user not to touch with his orher hands, such as any surface that may have microbes, including anysurface that multiple people may touch (e.g., any of the public surfacesmentioned in the Background Section). The contact device 300 can beformed of any suitable material or materials, including one or moresturdy, rigid, and/or durable materials such as a metal (e.g., steel,copper, etc.) or polymer. The contact device 300 may be configured tocontact a surface in a manner that does not require a user to touch thesurface with the user's hands.

In any embodiment in this specification, the integrated device 100, thecontainer 200, and/or the contactor or contact device 300 can compriseone or more antimicrobial features. For example, in some embodiments,any or all of the integrated device 100, the container 200, and/or thecontactor or contact device 300 can comprise an antimicrobial texture,an antimicrobial coating or covering, and/or an antimicrobial liquidreservoir or antimicrobial-emitting substance (such as a chamber,sponge, pad, capsule, etc.). Some examples of antimicrobial fluids orother substances include alcohol, chlorhexidine, iodine, metal ions(e.g., silver or copper ions), etc. Any other antimicrobial fluid orsubstance can be used. If an antimicrobial reservoir or anantimicrobial-emitting substance is used, it can be repeatedly replacedor refilled when depleted. In some embodiments, a replaceable cartridgecan be inserted into a cavity within the integrated device, or a chamberor substance can be refilled or soaked up with an antimicrobial, as iscontemplated in all embodiments illustrated in this specification.

In some embodiments, the contactor or contact device 300 can berepeatedly and/or automatically sanitized after each use with asanitizer, such as by moving the contactor or contact device 300 into aposition within or on or separate from the integrated device 100. Insome embodiments, the sanitizer can comprise a reservoir or emitter orapplicator of antimicrobial or sanitizing fluid that can contact theportion of the contactor or contact device 300 that has been exposed toa contact surface.

In some embodiments, the contactor or contact device 300 can include adisposable antimicrobial covering that can be periodically removed andreplaced as needed. Sanitizers and/or coverings can be provided in aseparate disposable, refillable, replaceable, and/or reattachableportion of the system.

In any embodiment in this specification, the integrated device 100, thecontainer 200, and/or the contactor or contact device 300 can compriseone or more grippers, such as one or more surfaces, components, orportions that are configured to help facilitate gripping or holding theintegrated device 100 by the user. For example, one or more grippers cancomprise a high-friction surface or coating, such as a silicon surfaceor coating, and/or a shape configured to conform to a user's fingers orhand or configured to provide one or more openings or regions in which auser can securely insert or grasp with a user's fingers or hand. Forexample, a shape with one or more rings, ripples, ridges, grooves,and/or sinusoids can be provided to facilitate gripping by the user inor on any portion of the integrated device 100.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a container 200 in the form of a liquidvessel 201 such as a water bottle with a contact device 300 in the formof a protruding arm 302 affixed to the liquid vessel 201 by way of apermanent and unmoving attachment or unitary formation with the liquidvessel 201, such as on the lid 202 of the liquid vessel 201.

The arm 302 can include a first generally longitudinal or generallyvertical portion 320 and a second generally transverse or generallyperpendicular portion 322. In use, the body of the liquid vessel 201 canbe grasped in a user's hand and the arm 302 can be positioned by theuser in contact with a contact surface such as a public surface that mayinclude microbes. The arm 302 can be oriented such that a user can pushor pull on the liquid vessel 201 to apply a force through the liquidvessel 201 to the arm 302 and then to the contact surface. In somesituations, the contact surface is positioned on a device that requiresopening or closing or other actuation, or the contact surface ispositioned on a surface of a person-securing device such as a railing orhandle or bannister. The force applied by the user on the arm 302 can beconfigured to accomplish such actuation or securing.

For example, in some embodiments, the arm 302 can be temporarily placedinto contact with a handle or push bar on a door. The user can apply aforce through the liquid vessel 201 to the arm 302 to pull or push thedoor handle or push bar. The generally transverse portion 322 of the arm302 can help to temporarily capture the door handle or push bar. In someuses, a tapered or generally pointed or rounded end 304 on the arm 302can be used to actuate a key pad or to otherwise contact or actuate anyother surface. In some embodiments, the arm 302 can be removable orseparable from the container 200, stored in a separate sanitizing orsanitary location or receptacle on or separate from the integrateddevice 100, which may include one or more antimicrobial features, andthen temporarily positioned on the container 200 during use.

As shown in FIG. 3, in any embodiment in this specification, the arm 302can comprise multiple portions extending in different or oppositedirections and/or can be configured as a hook, claw, clasp, flange,plate, and/or any other advantageous shape or surface to contact,connect with, and/or actuate a surface that potentially includesmicrobes.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an example of an integrated device 100 inwhich the contactor or contact device 300 is movable, such as from astored or protective position (FIG. 4a ) to a deployed, usable, oractive position (FIG. 4b ). As shown in FIG. 4a , the arm 302 can bepermanently attached to container 200, such as by way of an attachmentpoint 203 on the lid 202 (or on any other portion) of the container 200.The arm 302 can be configured to pivot, rotate, articulate, and/orotherwise move with respect to the attachment point 203. When moved intothe deployed, usable, or active position, the arm 302 may temporarilylock into place, requiring an increased force or torque to move it outof such position than was required to move it between positions. Asshown, the arm 302 can be utilized when needed, but can be hidden, madesmaller or less obtrusive, shielded or blocked at least in part fromoutside contact, and/or otherwise modified when not in use. In someembodiments, when the arm 302 is in the stored or protective position,as shown in FIG. 4a , a sanitizer such as an antimicrobial reservoir oremitting surface or substance within the lid 202 or in any otherlocation within or on the integrated device 100, the contactor, or thecontainer 200, can repeatedly and automatically be brought into contactwith the underside or another surface of the arm 302 to sanitize it.

As shown in FIGS. 5a-6b , another example of an integrated device 100can comprise a shifting or translating contactor or contact device 200.For example, as illustrated, the arm 302 can be moved generallylongitudinally from a stored or protective position (FIG. 5a ) to adeployed, usable, extended, or active position (FIG. 5b ). In thisexample, the arm 302 is not required to pivot, rotate, or articulate. Asshown, the arm 302 can be located in a shielded, protected, or blockedposition in which it is hidden, made smaller, made less obtrusive,and/or otherwise modified. In this position, a sanitizer, such as anantimicrobial reservoir or emitting surface or substance on or withinthe lid 202 or in any other location within the integrated device 100,the contactor, or the container 200, can repeatedly and automatically bebrought into contact with the underside or another surface of the arm302 to sanitize it. The arm 302 can be transitioned from the firstposition shown in FIG. 5a to the second position shown in FIG. 5 b.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show that the lid 202 can comprise upper and lowerportions 210, 211 that are brought together and affixed in a permanentor removable manner, such as in a snap-fit, threaded, friction-fit,adhesively bonded, sonically welded, and/or other manner. The arm 302can comprise a lower and wider entrapped portion 213 that is configuredto move up and down within a chamber 214 formed between the upper 210and lower portions 211 of the lid 202. In some embodiments, theentrapped portion can be larger than a generally vertical portion of thearm 302 so that the arm 302 can move generally vertically to expose atleast about a majority of the surface area of the arm 302, but the arm302 cannot escape or otherwise detach entirely from the lid 202 throughan opening in the lid 202 when the arm 302 is advanced vertically. Asshown, the entrapped portion can comprise a motion stabilizer such as anO-ring 215 to help vertically orient and guide the arm 302 as itadvances up and down within the chamber 214 of the lid 202 and when itis in the deployed, usable, extended, and/or active positions. The arm302 can be transitioned from the first position shown in FIG. 6a to thesecond position shown in FIG. 6b by grasping the top of the arm 302 witha user's fingers and pulling it upward. The arm 302 can be transitionedfrom the second position to the first position by pushing downward onthe arm 302 with a user's fingers. In some embodiments, the arm 302 cancomprise a grasping component 304 to facilitate securely grasping thearm 302 with the fingers, such as is illustrated in FIG. 7a , withoutrequiring the user to contact the underside of the arm 302 or any otherportion of the arm 302 that is configured to contact a contact surface.As shown, in any embodiment, the lid 302 can be sealingly secured to theliquid vessel 201 in any suitable manner, such as by way of one or morescrew threads, gaskets, seals, clasps, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7c , the integrated device 100 can compriseone or more grasping components 304 on the container 200 or thecontactor or contact device 300 to facilitate carrying the integrateddevice 100 without contacting the contactor or contact device 300 with auser's hands and/or without contacting one or more surfaces of thecontactor or contact device 300 that is or are configured to come incontact with a potentially contaminated surface, such as a public orother surface where microbes may be present, during use.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an example of an integrated device 100 inwhich the contactor or contact surface 300 in the form of an arm 302 ismovably coupled to the container 200 in a position separate from the lid202. As shown, the arm 302 can be advanced from within an arm housing217 from a fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 8a in which noportion of the arm 302, or no portion of the arm 302 that is configuredto contact a contact surface, is exposed, to an extended position asshown in FIG. 8b , by actuating an actuator, such as a slider actuator219, using a user's finger. Any other actuator may be used, such as arotational actuator or an electronic solenoid or motor actuator.

As in any embodiment in this specification, any type of sanitizer, suchas an antimicrobial fluid reservoir 218 and/or an antimicrobial emitteror applicator 221 in fluid communication with the reservoir 218 or byitself, can be positioned on or within a portion of the integrateddevice 100, such as within the arm housing 217, as shown, or on orwithin the lid 202 or on or within any other portion of the integrateddevice 100. In some embodiments, the reservoir 218 and/or emitter orapplicator 221 can together or separately form at least part of a regionor a cartridge that is refillable or replaceable with antimicrobialfluid and/or another cartridge, either or both of which can be providedseparately. When the arm 302 is being stored in the retracted positionand/or after it has been used to contact a contact surface, at least aportion of the arm 302 (e.g., the portion that is configured to contactthe contact surface) can be automatically brought into contact with thereservoir 218 and/or emitter or applicator 221 to sanitize the arm 302or a portion thereof, such as when the actuator is moved downward toposition the arm 302 in the retracted position.

In some embodiments, the actuator 219 and/or the arm 302 can betemporarily locked into the extended position such that to move theactuator 219 or arm 302 back toward or into the retracted positionrequires a greater force than is required to move the arm 302 betweenthe retracted and extended positions, or requires a force applied in anon-longitudinal direction, so that the actuator 219 and/or the arm 302does not simply move back into the retracted position when a userapplies a force on the integrated device 100 to use the arm 302 tocontact or actuate a contact surface.

The following is claimed:
 1. A liquid container comprising: a bottlecomprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle beingconfigured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed tothe bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used toactuate a door handle without requiring contact between the door handleand the user's hands.
 2. The liquid container of claim 1, furthercomprising a sanitizer configured to sanitize the contact device.
 3. Apublic-surface contact-avoidance device comprising: a containerconfigured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and apublic contact device attached to the container; wherein the containeris configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user tocontact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiringthe user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the container is a liquid vessel.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4, wherein the public-surface contact-avoidance devicecomprises an arm.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the arm comprises agenerally longitudinal portion and a generally transverse portion. 7.The device of claim 6, wherein the arm is fixed to the container.
 8. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the arm cannot move with respect to thecontainer.
 9. The device of claim 5, wherein the arm is movable withrespect to the container.
 10. A method of actuating a device comprising:obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; andgrasping the liquid container; contacting the public contact device ofthe liquid container with a device to be actuated without requiringdirect contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.11. The method of claim 10, wherein the device to be actuated is a door.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device to be actuated is a keypad.